Macrame Elevated : : Bracelet Tutorial

I remember as a kid making things with macrame all the time. It was what we did during the hot summer months. I always had a project going ... I was obsessed. I also remember using some really icky yarn, rope or string and pretty ugly wooden beads.

 I was just playing around here ... grabbed my hemp yarn, some clear glass beads and hand dyed some rayon ribbon, and sat down to try and elevate the art of macrame.

Quick, simple and yet so sweet.

You may remember here where I mentioned this little macrame trim I made and glued onto the outside of my journal.

Here's what I did ...

Without thinking too much, or planning out my knots and pattern, I just start by cutting long lengths of the hemp yarn. I read somewhere that the length of the yarn should be 10 times the finished desired length of the project. Since I was aiming to make a bracelet, I cut these pieces about 60 inches. The ribbon in the center was cut at about 15" long.

Next I knotted them together at the top and clamped them down on this clip board. Notice I have marked the board at the 3 1/2" point. This gives me a mid point for my bracelet so I know when to repeat the pattern if I want.

 

You'll notice that every once in a while there's a little glass bead threaded on the hemp. To keep the bead from slipping around on the hemp I place a knot before and after the mid point of the outer loops. Here are instruction on the basic macrame knots.

And here's a little trick to making this open macrame more secure. I mix Elmer's glue with water, about 1/3 water to 2/3 glue and then paint it onto the back of the bracelet. I do wipe it off the beads, then shape it a bit and let it air dry!

Sky is the limit here!

Happy Macrame!

Ok ... So i get lot's of questions about the circles, and how I made them ... It's not rocket science here. Make a typical square knot ... lots of tutorials out there ... except when you make the first half of the knot, leave some space between this half knot and the previous knot, (don't push it up snug to that previous knot) then make the second half of the knot and pull it tight, close to the first half. The hemp I used here is kind of sticky and stiff and holds it's shape really well to allow these circles to stand out to the side. The glue mixture that's applied later really helps to maintain the loop/circle shapes.

Comments

[Hemp Jewelry]

Great idea with the ribbon in the hemp! I'll be bookmarking your site, hope to read more from you

[NancyK]

wow, macrame has come a long way since I made a monstrous hot pink and orange plant hanger in the 60s. This bracelet is lovely and so delicate! Found your blog via my buddy Jen Anastasi; I'm sure I'll be visiting again!

[Pastila]

So great idea! Thank you for the tutorial!

[Hazel]

NancyK's comment about the macrame pot holder did make me smile - I made exactly the same and had the same thoughts about how modern macrame is so so so much better! Thanks for the great ideas!

[Donna Voelker]

I'm sorry but I feel like there was so much left out of this tutorial. I am new to this kind of jewelry making so I was wondering if there were more step by step directions somewhere. I just dont get how u made the circles. It is an amazing braclet and I really want to learn this.

Donna Voelker

[Karen Pullen]

I have to agree w/ Donna I have clicked and searched and done everything I know to do to find a more detailed version.

[Jennifer Farmer]

I agree with the previous comments. Please give us more I love the braclet.

[Ann Fenner]

Look on the internet for Macrame, Square Knots. Once you know how to make a square knot, you got it whipped.

[Ann Fenner]

Sorry, I forgot to include one of the tutorials I found on the web, http://stonebrashcreative.com/MacrameTutorial.html. Check it out and there are more out there. Ann F

[Hemp Bracelets]

Good concepts. Makes me wanna think outside of the box more with my designs.

[Jennette M Dudding]

Truly innovative, original, inspiring. Thanks for the comments asking for better direction/details. While i realize you may be more in to inspiring creativity (and you sure did) i cant help but have hope that by your sharing new detailed instructions might just help me find the next level to my creative flow.
Thanks again

[Gf]

I wish I knew how to create the circles...

[Debi Moore]

I have got to try these! Can you tell me the manufacturer of the hemp rope you use?

Thanks for the ideas. Better than the ugly plant hangers I used to make in the 60's and 70's.

[Daniela]

is there any way you can do a step by step tutorial? as far as alternating the cords to get the different circles! that would be great!

[Natalie Nunes]

I love it!!!!!!!

[Mary]

I agree, the pic doesn't me. I,m a new bee and need a video. It's cute but I have no idea what you did to get the loops.